Recorder



June 30, 1964 K. R. JOHNSON 3,139,320

RECORDER Filed Jan. 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON June 30, 1964 K. R. JOHNSON 3,139,320

RECORDER Filed Jan. 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON ATTOR N EY.

June 30, 1964 K. R. JOHNSON 3,139,320

RECORDER Filed Jan. 15, 1962 4 Sheets- Sheet 3 INVENTOR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON ATTORNEY.

June 30, 1964 K. R. JOHNSON 3,139,320

RECORDER Filed Jan. 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 89 KENNETH R. JOHNSON l 3 L 72 55 69 53 88 BY ATTORNEY.

Ufliwd at s P t 9 3,139,320" RECORDER Kenneth R; Johnsom De'nyer, Colo, assiguor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minus, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 15, 1962, ser'. No. 166,062 6 Claims. (Cl. 346-145) 'l his invention relates to a paper transport system useful in connection with a direct reeording' oscillogr'aph which includes: a high-energy, mercury-vapor, light source; mirror 'galvanometersi and an optical system, which transmits the light from the source to the mirrors and thence to the paper on which a trace or record is made."

An object of this invention is to provide means where-' by a roll of paper can be'readily and easily loaded into the oscillograph.

More specifically, it is an object of invention to providein a'recdrding eseino raph, a paper transport system including, a case, a writing platen pivotally mount ed in said case, a cradle pivotally mounted in said case, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said-cradle' whereby said platen and said cradle may be rocked from recording position to paper-receiving positiii, a spindle adapted to be passed through the roll of paper andto be pivotally' mounted in said cradle, a reeording platen mounted on said Cradle for movement therewith, an idler roller pivotally mounted on said reerdifig platen, and a drive roller mounted in said case adapted to engage a surface of said paper, by pressure of said idler-roller,- so as to drive said paper.

A fiiftli'erobj'ec t of this invention is to provide, in a recording oscillog'r'aph having a paper trans ort system, means for indicating the amount of paper remaining in said system and available for recording.

' A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 2

FIG. 1 is isometric view with the parts separated and their relative loeation indicated by dashed lines; and

FIGS. 2 through 6' are simplified diagrams iii right side elevation showing the paper transport system in the various positions it assumes as it moves from open to closed position. 2

The paper transport system of this invention comprises acase havirrg side plates 1 and2 on which are located pins 3,-- 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. These pins are mounted per; pendicular to the plane of the side plates 1 and 2 and are adapted to frictionally engage Q and thereby retain in adjusted position various parts of the paper transport system' hereinafter mentioned;

Side platesl and 2 each has therein a hole 9 and 10" which is mounted on a cradle pivot 11 and 12. Cradle pivots 11 and-12 each supports a cradle bearing 13 and 14 secured thereto by a screw .15: and 16'. The cradle side pl'at'es I7 and 1 8 each has a hole 19 and 20' therein adaptedto'rece'i've a cradle pivot 11 and" 12 therein so that the side plates and the parts supported thereby are mounted for pivotation about the axis of the cradle pivots 11 and 1 2. radle side plates 17 and 18 each has a notch 21 and 22 in it adapted to receive the studs 25 and24 of a "ice 2 and 32 each having a connecting pin 33 34 mounted thereon. Pins 33 and 34 are each slidiugly located in an L-shaped slot 35-36 in a platen bracket 38. (only one of the platen brackets 38 is seen in the drawings). Platen brackets 38 are mounted on the rear of a writing platen 39 which has ears 40 projecting forwardly therefrom. I

Recording platen 45 has a pair of holes 47 (of which but one is shown in the drawing). Cradle side plates 17 and 18 have a pair of holes 49 and 50 through them. A pair of platen shoulder screws 51 and 52 project through the holes 49, 47 and 50, 47, respectively. Screws 51 and 52 thus provide a pivotal connection, by means of the side plates 17 and 18, between the cradle and recording platen 45. v

The case, by means of the side plates 1 and 2, carries a pair of binge brackets 53 and 54 on it. Hinge brackets 53 and 54 each has a pivot 55 and 56 adapted to enter into one of a pair of holes 87 (only one hole 87 is shown in the drawings) in cover 39. Pivots 55 and 56 thus provide a stationary axis about which the writing platen 39 can rotate.

The latch plates 31 and 32 have latch faces 58 and 59 (only one of the latch faces 58 and 59 is shown in the drawing). These latch plates 31 and 32 and these latch faces 58 and 59 retain the cradle side plates 17 and 18 and associated parts in the closed position by means of engagement with pins 5 and 6.

The cradle side plates 17 and 18 have recesse's60 in them. Support 61 projects radially into recesses 60.-

A paper supply indicator is mounted on the cradle by means of a pivot 62 on which is pivotally mounted an indicator lever having a curved face 63 adapted to engage the roll of paper on the spindle 23 and an indicator 64 aligned with a slot 65 in the cover 39 to indicate' the amount of paper remaining on the spindle.- The geometry of the pivot 62 and of the curved portion 63 is so arranged that the scale of the footage indicator is approximately linear from full roll to empty roll even though the quantity of paper is not linear with the change in diameter of the paper roll.

FIG. 2 shows the position.

The amber viewing glass 66, the paper hold-down bar 67, and the drive roller 68 are permanently mounted be tween the side plates 1 and 2. Projecting inward from side plate 1, are pins 3, 5 and 7. A right cradle side plate 17 is mounted on pivot bearing 11, which, in turn, is mounted on the side plate 1. Likewise pins 4, 6 and 8' project inward from side plate 2 and cradle side plate 18 is mounted on pivot bearing 12. 2

As shown in FIG. 2, the cradle side plates 17 and 18 are rotated counterclockwise and rests on the flanges 69 and 70 of the hinge brackets 53 and 54; The writing platen 39, which pivots at pivot 55 and 56 is restrained from further rotation counterclockwise by nylon pins 33 and 34-which have reached the end of slot 35, 36 in the platen brackets 38. Platen brackets 38' are permanently attached tdwn'ting platen 39. Pins 33 and 34 are mounted on latch plates 31 and 32, which are pivotly mounted on the cradle side plates 17 and 18 by bearings 29; The recording platen assembly 45 is shown pivoted counterclockwise about pivot points' 51 and 52 and is resting against the writing platen brackets 38 at point 71. A roll of recording paper 72 is shown in place prior to closing the cradle. The recording paper is supported on" spindle 23, which has extending from each end, studs 24 and 25 which rest in. the slots 21' and 22 in the cradle side plates. A pin 27 is installed on one side of the spindle only, and prevents rotation of the spindle by' coming to rest against projection 61 in the cradle side plate 17.

FIG. 3 shows the paper transport system as it is starting to be closed. Closing is accomplished by applying paper transport system in' the open r, as

pressure to the Writing platen at a point spaced from the pivot. As this motion is begun, nylon pins 33 and 34 move upward until they contact the cradle side plates at points indicated 73. Continuing this motion then causes the cradle side plates 17 and 18 to start rotating clockwise about their pivot bearings 11 and 12. While this is happening, nylon pins 33 and 34 move upward in slots 35, 36. .The recording platen assembly 45 is forced to rotate clockwise by pressure of the ears of the platen brackets at points indicated 74. By the time motion has continued to the point shown in FIG. 3 gravity takes over and causes the recording platen assembly 45 to continue rotating clockwise until it comes to rest on the cradle side plates against projections 75.

As motion continues, pins 33 and 34 reach the ends 35 of slots 36 as shown in FIG. 4. At this point, latches 31 and 32 are caused to rotate counterclockwise as cradle side plates continue their rotation clockwise. Because recording platen assembly 45 is resting on projections 75 against the cradle side plates, it is in a position low enough to clear the amber glass 66 and hold-down bar 67. At the position shown in FIG. 4 the cam surfaces 85 on the cam plates which are a part of the recording platen assembly are approaching pins 3 and 4, and will shortly contact the cam surfaces 85. The straight portions 58 of latches 31 and 32 are also approaching pins 5 and 6 and will shortly contact them.

FIG. 5 shows that pins 33 and 34 have started moving downward in slots 35, 36 and straight portions 58 of latches 31 and 32 have contacted pins 5 and 6. Also, cam surfaces 85 have contacted pins 3 and 4, and are causing recording platen assembly 45 to move upward toward the paper hold-down bar 67 and the drive roller 68. The studs 24 and 25 on the ends of the spindle 23 are moving underneath pins 7 and 8 which project inward from the side plates 1 and 2. V

- FIG. 6 shows the cradle completely closed and ready for operation. The idler roller 46 has now moved up to contact the drive roller 68. The idler roller 46 is spring loaded against the drive roller 68 and is pivotly mounted on links 78. The recording platen assembly is accurately positioned, both vertically and horizontally by pins 3 and 4. The junction of the cam surface 85 and a vertical surface 79 on the cam plates has come to rest against pins 3 and 4. This positioning accurately controls the narrow gap between the recording platen and the hold-down bar through which the paper travels. This action holds the paper accurately so that it will remain in focus as recording takes place.

The cradle side plates 17 and 18, and thus, the entire assembly is firmly locked in place by the latches 31 and 32 as they contact pins 5 and 6. During the final bit of motion of the writing platen 39, a force is exerted on pins 33 and 34 by slots 35, 36. T his causes counterclockwise rotation of the latches and a wedging action around pins 5 and 6. The latches are flexible and deflect slightly in the lockedposition as indicated by the dotted line which shows their'free position, and the solid line their deflected position.

, The writing platen, when closing, comes to rest against the cradle side plates-at points 80.

When the paper drive is started, the drive roller rotates clockwise and the pressure of the idler roller grips the paper and causes the paper roll to rotate counterclockwise. The spindle can only rotate part of the turn until pin 27 comes to rest against projection 61. The spindle is held stationary to reduce the rotating inertia. This is necessary because'sudden stopping would otherwise cause excessive overspooling of the paper.

' Drag buttons 82 (only one of which appears in the drawings) are also installed in the cradle side plates 1 and 2. These drag buttons 82 are spring-loaded against the edge of the roll 72 of paper, and cause additional friction to prevent overspooling when stopping from highspeed operation. As the diameter of the paper roll 72.

. 4 goes down, eventually contact is lost with the drag buttons 82, because of the reduced diameter. By this time, however, the paper roll is small enough that the drag buttons 82 are no longer required.

Another method of providing friction to prevent overspooling is provided by part 88. This may be used in addition to, or in place of, the drag buttons. Part 88 consists of a light spring made of thin spring material to which is attached a felt or velvet pod 89. This pod drags on the outside of the roll of paper. As the roll diameter becomes smaller the pressure of this drag brake becomes less.

Opening the cradle is almost the reverse operation to closing it. The writing platen is pulled outward by the unnumbered fingerholes in writing platen 39. This outward rotation of the writing platen pulls on pins 33 and 34 by slots 35, 36 causing clockwise rotation of latches 31 and 32. Thus, the latches release from pins 5 and 6. When the writing platen 39 is pulled all the Way forward and comes to stop, the recording platen 45, however, will still be resting on the cradle side plates on pro jections 75. In order to remove the paper roll or spindle, the recording platen 45 must then be rotated counterclockwise by hand until it comes to rest at points 71 in FIG. 2. v

The operation of the paper transport system of this invention is as folows: I

Device is shown in its normal or operating position in FIG. 1.

The user of the paper transport system can insert one or more fingers into one or more of the holes in ears 40 and turn cover 39 from the position in which it is shown in FIG. 1 counter-clockwise into a substantially horizontal position. The initial portion of the movement of the cover 39 also rocks the cradle counter-clockwise by engagement of the connecting pins 33 and 34 in the radial portion 36 of the slots in ears 38. The initial movement of the cover 39 also rotates. the latch plates 31 and 32's0v that latch surfaces 58 and 59 move away free from pins 5 and 6 (FIG. 5).

, The platen 45 may be then grasped by the fingers of the operator and turned counter-clockwise about its pivot 51 and 52 because of the pivotal'connections provided by tthe platen shown by screws 51 and 52 between platen 45 and the cradle. The spindle 23 can then be lifted out of the cradle. The tube of paper on which the roll of recording paper is mounted can then be removed from the spindle 23 and a new tube containing a fresh roll of recording paper is slid over the spindle 23. The spindle 23 and the roll of supply paper thereon is then returned to the cradle by placing the studs 24 and 25' in the slots 22 and 21, respectively. The engagement of the outer surface of the roll of paper on the spindle 23 with the curved face 63 of the indicator causes the indicator 64 to move from one end of slot 65, whichindicates the exhausted position of the paper, to the other end of the slot 65, which indicates the full or position of the paper.

The writing platen 39 is then turned clockwise into its closed or normal position. The initial movement of platen 39 causes recording platen 45 to rotate clockwise and come to rest with projections 75 on cradle side plates 17 and 18. The initial clockwise movement of writing platen 39 does not cause any movement of the cradle because the connecting pins 33 and 34 are not yet contacting the cradle side plates. When the connecting pins 33 and 34 reach the end of slots at 35, the latch is moved counter-clockwise. Shortly thereafter the curved latch faces 59 engage the stationary pins 5 and 6. The latter portion of the movement of the'latch allows the pins 5v and 6 to bend the latches in the 58, 59 area slightly as is seen in FIG. 6 in solid and dotted lines.

What is claimed is: I p 1. In a recording oscillograph, a paper transport sys tem, including, a case having a pair of flat side plates and a flat front plate with an opening therethrough, a cradle pivotally mounted in said case and having a pair of side plates each having a notch therein, a spindle adapted to be inserted at its ends into the notches in said cradle side plates and adapted to support a roll of paper thereon, a writing platen pivotally mounted on said case, and a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said cradle whereby said writing platen may be moved by hand about its pivot and cause said cradle to move about its pivot.

2. In a recording oscillograph, a paper transport system, including, a case having a pair of flat side plates and a flat front plate having an opening therethrough, a cradle having a pair of flat side plates each having a notch therein, a pivotal connection mounting said cradle in said case, a spindle adapted to be inserted in said notches adjacent the ends of said spindle and to support a roll of paper thereon, a writing platen pivotally mounted in said case, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said cradle whereby said writing platen may be turned by hand about its pivot and cause said cradle to turn about its pivot, and a recording platen pivotally mounted on said cradle and adapted to underlie a portion of the paper leaving the roll of paper on said spindle.

3. A paper transport system according to claim 2, including, at least one pin mounted on one of the side plates of said case and projecting into the interior of said case, and a cam surface on said recording platen cooperating with said pin to locate said recording platen with relation to said case.

4. In a recording oscillograph, a paper transport system, including, a case having a pair of side plates and a front plate having an opening therethrough, a cradle having a pair of side plates each having a notch therein, a pivotal connection between said cradle and said case, a spindle adapted to be received in the notches in said side plates and to support a roll of chart paper thereon, a writing platen, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said case whereby said writing platen may be turned by hand about its pivot, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said cradle whereby turning movement of said writing platen causes turning movement of said cradle, at least one pin on one of the side plates of said case projecting toward the interior of said case, and at least one latch mounted on one of the side plates of said cradle and movable into and out of engagement with said pin to latch said cradle in its normal operating position.

5. In a recording oscillograph, a paper transport system, including, a case having a pair of flat side plates and a front plate having an opening therethrough, a cradle having a pair of side plates each having a notch therein, a pivotal connection between said cradle and said case, a spindle adapted to be located adjacent its ends in the notches in said side plates and to support a roll of paper thereon, a writing platen, a pivotal connection between said writing platen in said case whereby said writing platen may be turned about its pivot by hand, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said cradle whereby turning movement of said writing platen causes corresponding turning movement of said cradle, a recording platen, a pivotal connection between said cradle and said recording platen whereby said recording platen may turn about its pivot relative to said cradle, a driving roller mounted in said case, and an idler roller mounted for rotation on said recording platen adapted to engage a portion of said paper and to force it into engagement with said driving roller.

6. In a recording oscillograph, a paper transport system, including, the case having a pair of flat side plates and a flat front plate with an opening therethrough, a cradle pivotally mounted in said case and having a pair of flat plates each having a notch therein, a spindle adapted to be inserted at its ends into the notches in said cradle side plates and adapted to support the roll of paper thereon, a writing platen pivotally mounted on said case adjacent the opening in said flat front plate and having an opening therethrough, a pivotal connection between said writing platen and said cradle whereby said writing platen may be moved by hand about its pivot and cause said cradle to move about its pivot, and a paper supply indicator, including, a lever pivotally mounted in said case and having a portion adapted to engage the roll of paper on said spindle and a portion visible through the opening in said writing platen and serving as an indicator of the diameter of said roll of paper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,080,086 Mihalyi May 11, 1937 2,902,332 Bauer Sept. 1, 1959 3,082,970 Rasmussen Mar. 26, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 302,656 Germany Dec. 15, 1917 

1. IN A RECORDING OSCILLOGRAPH, A PAPER TRANSPORT SYSTEM, INCLUDING, A CASE HAVING A PAIR OF FLAT SIDE PLATES AND A FLAT FRONT PLATE WITH AN OPENING THERETHROUGH, A CRADLE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID CASE AND HAVING A PAIR OF SAID PLATES EACH HAVING A NOTCH THEREIN, A SPINDLE ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED AT ITS ENDS INTO THE NOTCHES IN SAID CRA DLE SAID PLATES AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A ROLL OF PAPER THEREON, A WRITING PLATEN PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CASE, AND A PIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID WRITING PLATEN SAID SAID CRADLE WHEREBY SAID WRITING PLATEN MAY BE MOVED BY HAND ABOUT ITS PIVOT AND CAUSE CRADLE TO MOVE ABOUT ITS PIVOT. 